metzger



(N0 Model.) L 2 Sheet-Sheet 1.

6 P. METZGER.

GANISTER.

No. 363,664. Patented May 24, 1887.

Mu -1 m. Wahinglon. n1:

(No Model.) '2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

P. METZGBR.

GANI'STER.

Patented May 24, 1887.

No. 363,664. Y

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

PERCY METZGER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

CANISTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 363,664, dated May 24, 1887.

' Application filed Novembcr20, 1886. Serial No. 219,457. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that-I, PERcY METZGER, a citizen of the United States. residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Canisters; and I do hereby declare the following to he a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. 7

My invention is a canister for containing and displaying teas, coifees, spices, 850.; and it consists in the parts which will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the detachable top. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a canister without the detachable top. Fig. 5 is a central vertical section of the construction shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional detail of the top of a canister wherein only one top dooris employed. and Fig. 7 is a detail perspective showing the means for securing thedoor of the pocket.

The objects of my invention are to produce a canister which may be quickly filled with tea, coffee, or spice, &c., and the same easily removed therefrom at pleasure; also, a canister which will at all times display a certain quantity of an article in atop receptacle irrespect ive of the quantity of the article in the main body of the canister, the contents of the display pocket or receptacle being visible through a glass door, all of which will be more fully hereinafter specified.

Referring to the drawings by letters, A represents the main body of the canister, and B the removable top thereof.

C represents a frusto conical shelf having its outer edges secured to the inner lower sides of the canister.

D D are two bottom side doorsone on each side of the canister. These doors are immediately under the shelf 0. Said shelf acts When the canister is constructed in cy1indrical form, as shown in the drawings, the

doors D are curved,so as to conform to the circular configuration of the canister. The doors slide circumferentially in curved guidefianges.

The canister is provided with an opening immediately under each door, whereby,whe11 the doors are open, access may be had to the bottom of the canister for the purpose of removing any' desired quantity of the'contents. A scoop may be advantageously employed in removing the contentsthrough these side openings. Each door is independent of the other, whereby access may be had to the canister from either side.

B represents the removable top in which is located a side pocket for the reception and display of a sample which shall correspond with the contents of the main portion of the canister. This pocket consists of a vertical wall, B,and ahorizontal semicircular floor,B". ,The outer sides of the pocket are formed by the outer walls of the canister 13. The side of the canister in which the pocket is located is cut away from a point near the center of the top may be closed. This opening is adapted to receive the end of a funnel,whereby the pocket may be completely filled. It is desirable to completely fill the pocket, so that the display may be more conspicuous. In order that the door F may not be forced open bythecontents of the pocket when it is filled to the top,Iprovide the inner side of said door near its outer edge with a bal1-catch,f,which engages a small projection, f, on the inner top side of the pocket. By this means the door may be firmly closed. F is a knob on the outer top side of Asmall opening, H, is

outward and downward to a point on the side i the door F, whereby said door may be opened or closed. The ball-catch f is spring-actuated by means of its shank f. The spring is of suifieient strength to cause the ball to pass around to the under side of the projectionf when the door is closed, so as to retain the doorand prevent the same from being opened by the outward pressure of the contents of the pocket when the same is filled; but the door may, however, be easilyopened by hand.

The letter N represents an opening in the lower side of the vertical wall. N is asliding door for closing said opening. This door is provided with front and rear knobs, whereby the door may be opened from the pocket side or from the opposite or rear side of the wall. The door is mounted in and slides on flanged ways. (Notshowir) The object ofsaid opening and door is to permit the discharge of the contents of the pocket into the main body of the canister.

I represents a door having its inner end hinged to one side of the top strip, G. This door is adapted to close the bevel-opening I. Said opening communicates with the interior of the main body of the canister. There are two ways of filling the canister. One is through the door I and opening 1, and the other is by removing the top. Access may also be had through the opening I for the purpose of removing desired quantities of the contents from the main body of the canister.

Near the top inner part of the main body of the canister is a circular band, J. This band is rigidly united to the canister, its object being to impart strength. The under side of the removable top is provided with a circumferential flange, K, which is of less diameter than the diameter of said top, so that the flange will fit snugly within the top. Said flange is provided with a right-angled recess, K, formed in its edge. I A pin, K", is fixed to the inner side of the canister near the top thereof. The removable top is secured to the main body of the canister by means of said pin and recess. There maybe one or more of these pins and recesses. In uniting thetop with the body the vertical portion of the recess is set over the pin. The top is then lowered and then slightly turned, whereby said top and bottom are firmly united.

L represents the feet upon which thecanister-is mounted, and M indicates the handles by which the device may be manipulated.

Having thus described myinvention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A canister-body provided with a removable-top, said top being provided on one side with a pocket and provided on the other side with an opening communicating with the main body of the canister, said top being provided with a flange whereby it may be engaged with the canister, substantially as described.

2. A canister provided with a removable top, said top being provided with a pocket, said pocket being provided with an opening communicating with the main body of the canister and a door for closing said opening,

said top being also provided with an opening communicating with the main body of the canister, also provided with a flange for engaging the canister, substantially as described. in testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. PERCY METZG-ER. Witnesses:

F. A. FOUTS, M. P. OALLAN. 

